Thinking About Christmas Or All Year Round: Remember the Aldi iOS App For Grabbing deals

Aldi has specials on a regular basis, and besides groceries, you can grab some great technology hardware as well such as tablets, cordless phones, wifi extenders, power boards etc. This week I picked up a great slim line tower fan with remote which has tactile buttons on both the fan and remote.

Finally got To Play with the DAISY 3g player From Vision Australia

I must say, I am quite impressed by this player with the ability to be able to just turn the daisy player on, and within a minute or two access my daisy books, newspapers, magazines, and podcasts directly from the Vision Australia I-Access Online Library service.

NATIONAL RELAY SERVICE APP

Note: I’m not sure how well this app for iOS or Android works with Braille: seems to work ok with voiceOver on iOS, but not yet checked out Android and Talkback.

The National Relay Service (NRS) is for any Australian who is deaf, hearing impaired or speech impaired who wants to make phone calls.

The app provides easier ways to make calls through the NRS in Australia.

This app gives you access to the following call options:• internet relay – if you want to type and read your conversation• Speak and Listen – if you are hard to understand on the phone • video relay – if you use Auslan• captioned relay – if you can speak but can’t hear clearly.

The app is a world-first in combining a range of relay calls and support functions in a single app.

ADDITIONAL FEATURESFor both internet relay and Speak and Listen the app provides additional benefits or features that are only available through the app. These include:• the ability to use customised phrases and call set-ups that you can pre-store on your phone or tablet• the ability to ‘click through’ from contacts stored on the device• better notification for incoming internet relay calls• the option of inserting text for users making Speak and Listen calls• the ability to utilise the device’s GPS in providing location information.

COSTThe app and any calls you make using the app are free. However, you will be connecting to the internet and will be using broadband data. How you are charged for this data will depend on the plan you have with your service provider.

Microsoft Disability Answer Desk

The Disability Answer Desk is where people with disabilities can get support with Microsoft products and accessibility features.Connect with a Microsoft expert: Call 1800 280 300Hours of operation:Every day: 8 AM – 9 PM (AEST)

How to Wipe your Phone or Tablet before Selling It

Next three Shows: my favourite iOs/Mac apps, Podcasts, and Audio Books Suggestions For the Holidays

In the next several shows I will be going through my favourite iOS apps, Mac apps, the podcasts I listen to all the time with recommended podcast listening programs, and some audio book suggestions for the Christmas holidays.

Serotek Loses Another Staff Member

International Day for Persons with a Disability

The International Day for Persons With a Disability is on the 3rd d of December 2014 the main focus of which is the development of sustainable technology.

Just have a think about how many main stream products and now becoming more and more accessible (such as Apple, Android, and Microsoft), and what you can do to encourage the continuing development of current and future products.

Family Sharing from Apple on iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite

Family sharing is across iOS and OS X allowing you to share music, apps, movies, TV shows, and Books.

All of this content can therefore be shared between iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Apple TV or Mac.

You can setup family sharing up to 6 people in iCloud on both iOS and Mac.

You will find the family purchased items under purchased in the Apps, iBooks and iTunes Store: For the Apple TV, look under shared in the Movies or TV shows tab.

In addition family members also get access to shared reminders, Calendar, and photos.

An indirect way of giving someone a great christmas present in your family.

However, please be aware that purchases made by family members will get build back to the main organisers credit card. If a family member has iTunes gift card credit, this will be used first, except if they are the organiser in which case it will be ignored as it is seen as personal credit.

Monday, 24 November 2014

Serotek Announced the resignation of 5 Staff Last Friday in the US

Letting 5 staff go for what ever reason really should have been immediately followed up by a proper press release.

These are the folks that produce System Access, SAMN, Docuscan, iBlink Radio, and several well known podcasts including Serotek’s weekly technology podcast.

Official statement link follows but this could have been handled a lot better on Twitter over the week end where it got a bit nasty on Serotek’s behalf of which these Tweets by the company have now been deleted.

The official blog release didn’t arrive until Monday Aussie time, a bit late.

So no more podcasts it looks like from Serotek, but we’ll have to wait and see.

From November 24 through to December 4, Apple is supporting the RED global campaign to fight the spread of AIDS through sales on the app store and their retails stores. When you purchase specific apps or products, a part of the sale goes to support this vital campaign.

iOS 8.1.1 Accessibility Updates from Applevis

iOS8.1.1 is now available to go get if you are running iOS8. One of the very welcome fixes is the automatic announcement of who is calling again while the phone is ringing. Siri is fixed and acts correctly now

AccessWorld for November 2014

A review of the KNFB Reader app (which quite impressed the reviewer), for iOS,a review of several mobile connected health devices (most of which are not accessible), and making music with the Beamz: a great tool for fun and education.

Google to Test Fly Balloons which transmit wi-fi over Western QLD: from the Guardian

This is just very cool indeed. These balloons fly at twice the hight of a jet and stay up for 100 days. Testing will be done by Google in conjunction with Telstra for the test trial. This type of thing would be of great benefit in covering disaster sites etc. From the same Google lab that has brought us Google glass’s, and the Google driving car.

Monday, 10 November 2014

Podcasts from me

I’ve started producing a number of podcasts on Yosemite (OS X 10.10). At this time they include making calls from your Mac via iPhone, answering calls on your Mac via iPhone, Hand Off between iPhone and Mac, Notifications Centre, iBooks, and toggling adjustment volume sound.

iOS app: Tap To Share

When doing my demo of Notifications Centre and Tweeting about what I was doing a demo on, a person on Twitter commented that it would be nice to be able to tweet from Notifications Centre on iOS, not just in Yosemite as was previously available. A person commented with the Tap To Share app which puts a widget in the Notifications Centre to post to Facebook and twitter.

Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel more accessible on iOS with VoiceOver

Earlier this week Applevis tweeted that Word and Excel were now more accessible on iOS with VoiceOver. I’ve briefly tried Word, and whilst it is better, spell checking still seems to be an issue: i.e. Pages much better for this.

Sunday, 9 November 2014

Talking Tech for October 27 and November 4 2014

As I said in last weeks show, I would catch up this week with all the Apple news from the recent Apple event held a few weeks ago.

Apple News

In the Apple event two weeks ago, Apple Announced iPad 2 air, iPad mini 3, iMac 5k, OS X Yosemite release, iOS 8.1 available last Monday Oct 21 in the US (Tuesday aussie time) which includes Apple pay (for US only) and other bug fixes and improvements.

A quick highlight of these products in this show, except Apple Pay which is not currently available innAustralia. I’ve also listed the other iPads and Macs that are sill current, which gets a little bit confusing for the iPad range.

iPad air 2

From $619 wifi.

Connectivity: wifi or wifi/cellular.

A8x chip.

Touch id.

Reduced glare.

No side switch.

Thiner and lighter than the iPad air.

9.7 display.

Colors: silver, gold or space gray.

8mp camera.

Storage: 16, 64 or 128 GB.

iPad air

From #499 wifi.

Connectivity: wifi or wifi cellular.

A7 chip.

Thiner and lighter than the iPad 4th generation.

9.7 display.

Color: silver, gold or space gray.

5MP camera.

Storage: 16 or 32 gb.

iPad mini 3

From $499 wifi.

Similar to the iPad air 2

7.9 display.

iPad mini 2

From $369

Similar to the iPad air.

7.9 display.

ipad mini

From $299.

Similar to the iPad 2

A5 chip.

7.9 display.

Storage: 16GB.

Note - iPod touch

You can still get an iPod touch from $249 for 16GB (32 or 64GB as well) if you don’t want an iPad or iPhone.

Tuesday, 21 October 2014

Apple News

In the Apple event last week,Apple Announced iPad 2 air, iPad mini 3, iMac 5k, OS X Yosemite release, iOS 8.1 to be available as Oct 21 in Australia (today) which includes Apple pay (for US only) and other bug fixes and improvements.

Will go more in to the Apple announcements in next weeks show.

Apple and Android Apps Highlighted at Vision Australia Texpo 2014

At the recently held Vision Australia Texpos held in Sydney and Melbourne, the App Fantastic workshop highlighted a number of Apple and Android apps for use by people who are blind or or have low vision.

The apps that were highlighted have been put up on the Vision Australia Adaptive Technology Blog page which can be accessed with the following links for both Apple and Android:

Monday, 13 October 2014

In this weeks show, spending some time talking about android accessibility as I did a presentation on it at the recent BCA NSW/ACT state conference in Newcastle and will be presenting on it again at the Vision Australia texpo in Sydney this Friday.

Next weeks program I will be talking about the Android and Apple apps that were highlighted at both the Melbourne and Sydney VA Texpos.

No other accessibility options such as with iOS with assistive touch, switch control etc.

All accessibility settings in Settings, Accessibility. NB to find accessibility, remember to scroll down to bottom of the Settings screen.Android does not have toggle function for quicly turning accessibility features on or off as with iOS.

Some general usage comments

1. Various manufactures of Android devices such as Samsung, LG, HTC, Amazon etc.2. Can get different versions of Android on different hardware or different on same hardware depending on manufacturer update schedule.3. Google itself produces its own range of Android devices which are the first to be updated: hence why ATCS at VA have Nexus 7 tablets.4. Recommend that users try and get a phone or tablet with at least 4.21: i.e. 4.21 introduced magnification settings. Current version is 4.4.5. Recommending that the Samsung range of phones and tablets is the best way to go for most users. Eg S5 has triple click for turning Talkback on or off, and user experience seems to be a lot more stable.6. Google Now is not as good as Siri for speech users: eg asking Google Now “where am I?” results in a map not, telling you where you are in the case of Siri. SVoice may be as good as Siri, have not yet verified this.7. When purchasing apps from the Play Store, you can return it within 15 minutes (i.e. uninstalling it) and receive a refund if the app was not free.8. Using the Play Store to purchase music, books, movies et is all accessible particularly with Talkback.9. Home button at middle bottom of screen is your friend, plus apps button directly above this when at a home screen to easily locate apps or scroll between app screens. Always have Back, Home, and recent apps at bottom of all screens.10. Can get Eloquence as a software synthesiser. Other synthesizers are widely available including Acapela.11. Can use Talkback with a BT keyboard and Braille display. NB no Talkback commands are assigned to the Bt keyboard as with Voiceover on iOS.12. Oddly, on the Nexus 7, Talkback does not tell you when the unit is charging, only the charge percentage. The Kindle Fire hd on the other hand with Talkback does report if the unit is plugged in and charging.13. Using Alt-tab on a Bluetooth keyboard switch’s between recent apps. Start typing an app name with the BT keyboard to locate an app.14. Main difference between navigating with Braille on the home screens with Talkback as with iOS, is that all icons are shown on the Braille line and you have to locate the icon that is shown with dots 7 8flashing underneath. Some Talkback commands are used with the Braille display. No UEB at this time.15. Overall Android absolutely ok for low vision users, still not as good for speech users as with iOS.16. Good starting web address is:http://inclusiveandroid.tk

3. Quantum - Reading learning VisionSpecial offer: choose between a free minimax hand held CCTV with any purchase of a desktop CCTC or 10% discount across the product range for orders placed at Texpo.

4. Visitech Magnifiers

5. Pacific Vision International Australia) Pty Ltd

6. Australian Lions Visual Independence Foundation IncSpecial offer: Purchase a Kaptan Plus GPS device at a special price of $100, marked down from $700.

7. Sight Management Pty Ltd

8. Beonlight

9. Blind Citizens Australia

10. Real Thing – RealSAMSpecial offer: Visit the Real Thing stand at Texpo to purchase a RealSAM device at a special price of $199, a discount of $100 off the retail price.

11. Glassbrick

12. Optelec

13. KISA

14. Own Fone AustraliaSpecial offer: Receive a voucher code for a 10% discount off all OwnFone handsets.

14.. HumanWareSpecial offer: Receive a 5% discount on any product ordered at Texpo and a 10% discount and free deluxe leather case worth $77 with the purchase of a new generation Victor Reader Stream during the Texpo period: 9-17 October.

2. ScanBox+Paper thin portable scanner for your smartphone.Scanbox is made of durable, laminated card that folds to create a stand for your phone similar to a lightbox used for photography. Once set up, the phone sits on top at the correct height to scan any object that fits in the box. Used in conjunction with apps such as Prizmo, TextGrabber or KNFB Reader. Attach a 9V battery and this will power the LED lights. Was $55 now $20. Available while stock lasts.

Sunday, 28 September 2014

Using Home Plus Power or just Power on your IOS device

Last episode I mentioned that if an app got stuck on your iOS device (iPhone, iPod touch or iPad) you could use Home plus Power to reboot your device. Whilst this does work, it really should only be used as a last ditch method as it is much lie cold booting your computer.

Adam Morris who runs the iOS Mailing List from Australia, reminded me that it is probably safer in the long run to try and Power off your iOS device from the Power button and turn it back on again first. If this fails, try the Home plus Power button combination.

World Site Day and Eye Health Heroes

Vision 2020 Australia is hosting a number of events surrounding World Site Day coming up on the 9th of October including a Talk at the National Press Club on the 8th of October, and a dinner at parliament house Canberra 30th of September to celebrate Eye Health Heroes in the research and prevention of blindness but also for those who support people who are blind or vision impaired in the community.

I will be attending the parliamentary dinner as a hero representing Vision Australia sharing our positive stories in relation to gaining access to technology and information.

These set of 23 mp3 files are available for anyone to download who wish’s to learn how to touch type. Rather than having to get access to a typing training program, just download and listen to these MP3 files.

Apple Keynote for September 9 2014

There was one extra thing which happened very quietly, this was the discontinuation of the iPod classic, leaving the nano, and the iOS range now with all lightning cables: except for the iPod shuffle of course with the 3.5 connector

If you want to listen to the Apple September 9 keynote, here is the link:

Apple Pay with NFC

fast, secure and private: starting off in the US. Can also use it online.

Works with a secure chip in the iPhone Six or iPhone Plus together with touch id and passbook.

Just hold your finger on the touch ID, and a vibration and a discrete beep will announce that you have paid successfully.

This will be a lot more secure particularly with the current use of credit cards and contact payment options where you can just tap your card and under a certain amount (such as $100 in Pet Barn for example) you don’t even have to use your pin. Consequently, if someone stole your card, they could quite happily make these types of purchases. With Apple Pay, it is all bit around your finger print.

Uses the crown of the watch (the winder on old watch’s) for digital navigation, plus can determine the difference between a tap or press.

Precise time keeping.

Personalise watch faces.

Similar clock app functions: stop watch, timer, world clock etc.

Ping your iPhone to determine its location.

Hand over to your iPhone such as writing a Mail msg on your Apple Watch and then finishing it off on the iPhone.

Sends notifications and alerts including by tactile feedback on your wrist.

Runs its own apps, and there is an Apple Watch SDK for developers.

Health and fitness device.

Press a button on the crown to bring up a list of your closest friends and easily send them a message etc.

Answer a call on the watch and then transfer to the iPhone, car system or Bluetooth.

Silence an incoming call by putting your hand over the Apple watch.

For fun, use the builtin walkie talkie to talk to other Apple watch users send them a drawing or send them a tactile tap to let them know your thinking about them: you can also send your heart beat by holding 2 fingers down on the screen.

Will work with the iPhone 5, 5c, 5s, iPhone six, and iPhone plus.

Works with Apple Pay and passbook.

Play your music on the Apple Watch or on your iPhone and control your Apple TV.

Has common apps to that of the iPhone including Calendar, Weather, and Maps. Nice feature with Maps is that the Apple Watch will vibrate to tell you which way to turn: i.e. different tactile feedback for left or right turn.

U2 Album Release

The album that U2 Launched on the iTunes Store: Songs of Innocence: will be available for free to all iTunes customers from the 9th of September through to October 13 2014.

iPod Classic Discontinued

After 13 years, the iPod Classic finally got quietly retired. This makes all of the portable Apple products accessible, and most using the lightening connector (besides the 3.5mm port on the iPod shuffle).

Monday, 8 September 2014

How To Pause Music Or Podcasts on the iPhone Without Touching The Screen

This is a very simple tip but sometimes forgotten, if you have your head phones plugged in to your iOS device or an audio cable going to your car stereo, just pulling out the cable will stop your music or podcast playing.

How To Get Your iPhone Or iPad Ready for iOS 8

These tips are quite good if you are thinking of updating to iOS 8: check your device compatibility, free up some storage space (usually updates require at least 3GB of space free), check for current OS or app updates and update, backup your device, and particularly if you have an iPhones 4s or iPad 2, hold off for a few weeks to see how other folks are going running iOS 8.

The First Of My Two Purchase’s this week

It is still tech, but probably not quite what you expect. I am now the proud owner of a hands free sensor kitchen bin which I purchased from Kmart. Just walk up to the bin, the lid senses you are there, and the lid pops up: put in your rubbish and the lid closes after about several seconds. The lid of the bin is the thing that does all the work, so if the actual bin part breaks, you can just buy another bin that fits the lid.

The Second Of My Purchases For The Week

I wanted some good head phones for work to block out the noise in the open plan office, and also needed them to work with my iPhone and Mac. After a bit of searching around I finally decided upon the Beats Wireless head phones (not to be confused with the Beats Studio Wireless head phones). For some reason I couldn’t find the Beats Wireless head phones on the Apple online store, only places like Harvey Norman, JB etc: purchased mine at Harvey Norman.

The Beats wireless fold up in to a soft carry case (included) and come with a remote cable for iPhone (with clicker) to use them as wired head phones, Bluetooth supported, mini UsB cable for charging the rechargeable battery which lasts 10 hours on Bluetooth and 20 hours wired, and a user manual.

Whilst not completely over the ear, the soft filled part of the ear cups do cover all of your ear and block out quite a deal of background noise.

The left ear cup has the Beats logo on it and at the bottom the UsB mini port. The right ear cup has in a clockwise clock layout the multi function on/off/answer/hang up button 12 12, next track at 3,

volume up at 4, volume down at 7, previous track at 9, in the middle play/pause button, and at the bottom the 3.5MM head phone port.

They were easy to pair, when you plug in the cable Bluetooth is turned off, and they make a cool sound when you turn them on and off.

A Famous Steve Jobs Speech Is Hidden on the Macs Hard Drive

These two speech’s are Here’s To the Crazy Ones from the Think Different campaign, and the Commencement address to Stanford university in 2005. all in one file (apple.txt), just paste in to Go To Directory (Shift+Command+G) /Applications/Pages.app/Contents/Resources/.

Just remember, you’ll need Pages installed on your Mac for this file to exist.